Got a question --

I've been eating crabs in Maryland for about 20 years. It's generally been my feeling that *real* Marylanders don't use mallets or knives to eat crabs. With experience, you already know how to do just about everything with your fingers. Snap off the shell, crack the legs, pull out the meat, break apart the chambers with your fingers. About the only thing you MIGHT need is the little fork, but I usually just use my teeth.

How about it? Am I wrong?

Got a question --

I've been eating crabs in Maryland for about 20 years. It's generally been my feeling that *real* Marylanders don't use mallets or knives to eat crabs. With experience, you already know how to do just about everything with your fingers. Snap off the shell, crack the legs, pull out the meat, break apart the chambers with your fingers. About the only thing you MIGHT need is the little fork, but I usually just use my teeth.

How about it? Am I wrong?

Soft crabs are the only way to go, unless you can get someone else to pick the crab meat for crab cake sandwiches.

No harm intended but-I flinch & twitch when I see folks in a bib with a mallot in hand getting ready to smash a steamed crab. What a waste. :cds:

No harm intended but-I flinch & twitch when I see folks in a bib with a mallot in hand getting ready to smash a steamed crab. What a waste. :cds:

Have never ever ever used a bib or a mallot on crabs, however i have used a knife that i tap with my palm to crack the claws.

Got a question --

I've been eating crabs in Maryland for about 20 years. It's generally been my feeling that *real* Marylanders don't use mallets or knives to eat crabs. With experience, you already know how to do just about everything with your fingers. Snap off the shell, crack the legs, pull out the meat, break apart the chambers with your fingers. About the only thing you MIGHT need is the little fork, but I usually just use my teeth.

How about it? Am I wrong?

Only the end of a butter knife to crack the claws!!

Only the end of a butter knife to crack the claws!!

:yeahthat: Otherwise the only utensils you need are fingers.

So, please explain (to a non-native Marylander -- only been here 29 years), why do the restaurants issue mallets?

:coffee:

So, please explain (to a non-native Marylander -- only been here 29 years), why do the restaurants issue mallets?

:coffee:

for the claws

Cracking claws with a mallet or butter knife handle splinters the shell. The method using the knife blade pushed through the shell with the palm allows you to snap the claw and expose the meat without mixing in shards of shell.

No harm intended but-I flinch & twitch when I see folks in a bib with a mallot in hand getting ready to smash a steamed crab. What a waste. :cds:

I have that reaction when I see actors on the screen smash the whole crab open with a mallet (like in "A Few Good Men" where Demi Moore destroys one). I'm reminded of Gallagher doing mayhem on watermelons.

So, please explain (to a non-native Marylander -- only been here 29 years), why do the restaurants issue mallets?

:coffee:

Some may consider it fun or a selling point and it is just one of these things to get people in.

So, please explain (to a non-native Marylander -- only been here 29 years), why do the restaurants issue mallets?

:coffee:

Smart business, if you use mallets and waste 10 or 20% of the edible meat, you are still hungry and buy crab cakes, soft shells, steamed shrimp, etc. Bigger bills per table = more profit.

Smart business, if you use mallets and waste 10 or 20% of the edible meat, you are still hungry and buy crab cakes, soft shells, steamed shrimp, etc. Bigger bills per table = more profit.

Crabs next to the road on 235 by Blue Wind. $35 for a dozen large males. Pass.

Got a question --

I've been eating crabs in Maryland for about 20 years. It's generally been my feeling that *real* Marylanders don't use mallets or knives to eat crabs. With experience, you already know how to do just about everything with your fingers. Snap off the shell, crack the legs, pull out the meat, break apart the chambers with your fingers. About the only thing you MIGHT need is the little fork, but I usually just use my teeth.

How about it? Am I wrong?

Little forks are for escargot, and Alaskan crab legs, not a standard Blue Crab eating utensil.

Little forks are for escargot, and Alaskan crab legs, not a standard Blue Crab eating utensil.

Little forks?

Little forks?

For the sissies that are afraid to use a knife point to pick the cavities.

I cut the body in half with the knife from front to back and then cut each half horizontally. If you make a cut through the claw shell slightly behind the joint, you can snap off the back part of the shell and expose a nice big chunk of claw meat.

I like to use my nice heavy folding Buck knife

So, please explain (to a non-native Marylander -- only been here 29 years), why do the restaurants issue mallets?

:coffee:

for the non-Smibs

For the sissies that are afraid to use a knife point to pick the cavities.

I cut the body in half with the knife from front to back and then cut each half horizontally. If you make a cut through the claw shell slightly behind the joint, you can snap off the back part of the shell and expose a nice big chunk of claw meat.

I like to use my nice heavy folding Buck knife

No way! Well maybe.Gotta whip it out once in a while.

So, please explain (to a non-native Marylander -- only been here 29 years), why do the restaurants issue mallets?

:coffee:

For the newbe's

No way! Well maybe.Gotta whip it out once in a while.

That heavy brass handle will crack those leg sections one joint back from the claw with just a tap.

... but don't forget to rinse it off when you're done or the knife gets a little stinky

Crabs next to the road on 235 by Blue Wind. $35 for a dozen large males. Pass.

You don't eat male meat?

Anyone who uses a mallet to eat crabs is an amateur, and is someone who should be mocked and scorned for their ridiculous behavior.

No one should be using a mallet to eat crabs. No one.

You don't eat male meat?

Sure.

For the sissies that are afraid to use a knife point to pick the cavities.

I cut the body in half with the knife from front to back and then cut each half horizontally. If you make a cut through the claw shell slightly behind the joint, you can snap off the back part of the shell and expose a nice big chunk of claw meat.

I like to use my nice heavy folding Buck knife

Ah, works for me.
The one beside my Buck was my Dads S/N # 46. He sharpened it a lot.

The bestest way to eat crab, if you absolutely have to, is in an extremely small quantity from a can.

The bestest way to eat crab, if you absolutely have to, is in an extremely small quantity from a can.If you have to resort to eating crab meat from a can, the best thing to do is to throw the can against a tree, then make yourself a ham and cheese sammich and eat that instead.

If you have to resort to eating crab meat from a can, the best thing to do is to throw the can against a tree, then make yourself a ham and cheese sammich and eat that instead.

:killingme

Got a question --

I've been eating crabs in Maryland for about 20 years. It's generally been my feeling that *real* Marylanders don't use mallets or knives to eat crabs. With experience, you already know how to do just about everything with your fingers. Snap off the shell, crack the legs, pull out the meat, break apart the chambers with your fingers. About the only thing you MIGHT need is the little fork, but I usually just use my teeth.

How about it? Am I wrong?
All one needs is a small knife, Old Bay, vinegar & beer. I remove the legs, then the shell, crack the body in half, then use the knife to cut the body halves in half again, then pick out the meat.

No matter where I sit, there's always someone using a mallet nearby that causes a shell fragment to find me.

Crabs are great, but I just cannot see paying that much for them. I like the sitting around and picking while chatting and drinking a few brews, but that is about it. It is a social/family thing to me. Would not even consider it for an actual meal.

Wirelessly posted

Cracking claws with a mallet or butter knife handle splinters the shell. The method using the knife blade pushed through the shell with the palm allows you to snap the claw and expose the meat without mixing in shards of shell.

:yeahthat:
The only way to go.....

Ah, works for me.
The one beside my Buck was my Dads S/N # 46. He sharpened it a lot.

I like my 112

Like IS said, beer, old bay and apple cider vinegar. I'll pick a dozen or so, dump them in my bowl of vinegar and old bay mix well and slop that on a saltine.

I might have to put my pots over next week.

My daughter is going trotlining tomorrow - I am getting my knife and melted butter prepared! :yum:

My daughter is going trotlining tomorrow - I am getting my knife and melted butter prepared! :yum::drool:

My favorite trick is to pull the backfin with that huge chunk of meat still attached. Impresses the newbies.

The real question is - how many people suck the meat out of the 'legs' of the crabs, not the claws?

The real question is - how many people suck the meat out of the 'legs' of the crabs, not the claws?

I don't - it's a waste of time.

For the sissies that are afraid to use a knife point to pick the cavities.

I cut the body in half with the knife from front to back and then cut each half horizontally. If you make a cut through the claw shell slightly behind the joint, you can snap off the back part of the shell and expose a nice big chunk of claw meat.

I like to use my nice heavy folding Buck knife

Pull the front legs off, bend the bendy claw back and *carefully* pull out the big chunk of meat attached to the claw and pull it off with your teeth. They're great dipped in cornmeal batter and fried too! :drool:

If you have to resort to eating crab meat from a can, the best thing to do is to throw the can against a tree, then make yourself a ham and cheese sammich and eat that instead.

That was actually my point about eating crab, period. No, not crab period. Crab, period!

The real question is - how many people suck the meat out of the 'legs' of the crabs, not the claws?

Heck yes, never waste anything from those delicious critters!

Got a question --

I've been eating crabs in Maryland for about 20 years. It's generally been my feeling that *real* Marylanders don't use mallets or knives to eat crabs. With experience, you already know how to do just about everything with your fingers. Snap off the shell, crack the legs, pull out the meat, break apart the chambers with your fingers. About the only thing you MIGHT need is the little fork, but I usually just use my teeth.

How about it? Am I wrong?

Couldn't be more wrong in my view. The best crab pickers I know, people who've had crab restaurants, life long Bay folks, water men, they ALL use knives and mallets. Extensively.

Anyone who uses a mallet to eat crabs is an amateur, and is someone who should be mocked and scorned for their ridiculous behavior.

No one should be using a mallet to eat crabs. No one.

Poppycock.

After awhile, my palm gets a tad raw from whacking the back of my knife to open the claws. Light tap with a mallet and, viola.

Poppycock.

After awhile, my palm gets a tad raw from whacking the back of my knife to open the claws. Light tap with a mallet and, viola.

Maybe if you didn't have girlie hands , you'd be able to eat a damn crab without a stupid mallet.

Got a question --

I've been eating crabs in Maryland for about 20 years. It's generally been my feeling that *real* Marylanders don't use mallets or knives to eat crabs. With experience, you already know how to do just about everything with your fingers. Snap off the shell, crack the legs, pull out the meat, break apart the chambers with your fingers. About the only thing you MIGHT need is the little fork, but I usually just use my teeth.

How about it? Am I wrong?



I use a knife. Primarily after I suck all the gooey sweet goodness from the middle, pick off the devil-fingers and break the little sucker in half, I use the knife to bisect that part because then if you twist the legs just right, the meat pops out of the chamber like a boss.



Whether I'm a *real* Marylander or not is up for debate, and out of the scope of my concern.

Maybe if you didn't have girlie hands , you'd be able to eat a damn crab without a stupid mallet.

Maybe if you ate crabs in proper quantities, your hands would get sore, too.


:drama:


:lol:

This is how a Marylander eats a claw.

1tPc1dgw2YA

Just don't seat yourself next to a 5 year old with a hammer and a few claws.
Other than that there are no rules!

Just don't seat yourself next to a 5 year old with a hammer and a few claws.
Other than that there are no rules!

That's true. However, there are a few basics that really make cracking crabs a WHOLE lot more enjoyable. Claws is one. :buddies:

Clarke's Landing doesn't have the little knives. :mad:

Poppycock.

After awhile, my palm gets a tad raw from whacking the back of my knife to open the claws. Light tap with a mallet and, viola.

Pansy

Maybe if you ate crabs in proper quantities, your hands would get sore, too.


:drama:


:lol:Trust me, you do NOT want to go there.


Do you REALLY want to have a crab eating contest?

I could so make you beg for mercy that you'd never want to eat another crab till the day you die. Then I'd feed your body to the crabs so they could feast on your dead carcass.

Pansy:high5:

Crabs are great, but I just cannot see paying that much for them. I like the sitting around and picking while chatting and drinking a few brews, but that is about it. It is a social/family thing to me. Would not even consider it for an actual meal.

That is why there are lobsters....:drool:

The real question is - how many people suck the meat out of the 'legs' of the crabs, not the claws?

The real question is - how many people eat and enjoy the mustard :drool:

That's true. However, there are a few basics that really make cracking crabs a WHOLE lot more enjoyable. Claws is one. :buddies:

I save them for last. Well, I eat them last.

I just use a dinner knife, no mallet or other knife. If I need extra hitting power, I usually just flip the knife around and use the handle to hit the crab.

Trust me, you do NOT want to go there.


Do you REALLY want to have a crab eating contest?

I could so make you beg for mercy that you'd never want to eat another crab till the day you die. Then I'd feed your body to the crabs so they could feast on your dead carcass.

That is not possible. The rest, I can see that.

:lol:

Pansy

I have to be able to hold a pic with that hand.

:drama:

I just use a dinner knife, no mallet or other knife. If I need extra hitting power, I usually just flip the knife around and use the handle to hit the crab.

That still smashes it to some degree into the meat?:confused:

I've always used a nutcracker. I gently crack the shell with it. I'm surprised I dont see more people using one. I even thought about marketing it as a crab utensil. :lol: Maybe its a Virginia thing. :shrug:

That still smashes it to some degree into the meat?:confused:

I've always used a nutcracker. I gently crack the shell with it. I'm surprised I dont see more people using one. I even thought about marketing it as a crab utensil. :lol: Maybe its a Virginia thing. :shrug:

It's not a clean, or simple, as the PROPER Maryland blue crab method.

It's not a clean, or simple, as the PROPER Maryland blue crab method.

Yeah, maybe its too clean and simple. :lol:

Trust me, you do NOT want to go there.


Do you REALLY want to have a crab eating contest?

I could so make you beg for mercy that you'd never want to eat another crab till the day you die. Then I'd feed your body to the crabs so they could feast on your dead carcass.

My daughter would agree... she said ya'll are some serious crab eaters and she felt right at home digging in...:lol:

Wait a minute.. then again she also said she enjoyed itsbob's company.... :eyebrow: Was she drinkin'? :tap:

The real question is - how many people eat and enjoy the mustard :drool:I love the mustard! Do you pull it out of the points of the shell too? :drool:

My daughter woould agree... she said ya'll are some serious crab eaters and she felt right at home digging in...:lol::huggy:

We do like to eat some crabs.

A lot.

:huggy:

We do like to eat some crabs.

A lot.

Go back and read my update...:lol:

I love the mustard! Do you pull it out of the points of the shell too? :drool:

Heck ya! If you arent eating the mustard you arent a true Maryland'r!!!

Go back and read my update...:lol::roflmao:

Heck ya! If you arent eating the mustard you arent a true Maryland'r!!!

Calling it mustard does not make it any less poop.

FWIW, Gilligans has AYCE crabs for $25.99. Best price around! :yay:

FWIW, Gilligans has AYCE crabs for $25.99. Best price around! :yay:

Where are they located?

Have never ever ever used a bib or a mallot on crabs, however i have used a knife that i tap with my palm to crack the claws.

:yeahthat:

FWIW, Gilligans has AYCE crabs for $25.99. Best price around! :yay:

Might have been a miss print but the place by us Crabby Ricks had the AYCE advertised for $15.99

Yeah, maybe its too clean and simple. :lol:

:lol:

:buddies:

Heck ya! If you arent eating the mustard you arent a true Maryland'r!!!

Bzzzt! Wrong answer! If you don't eat the mustard, you're just not from SOMD.


:diva:

:lol:

Where are they located?

Seriously?

Calling it mustard does not make it any less poop.

Which in and of itself is one of the great ironies of the blue crab considering where the best ones come from.

:buddies:

Seriously?

Yes. I've never heard of Gilligan's and can't do a web search until I have a location...:shrug:

Yes. I've never heard of Gilligan's and can't do a web search until I have a location...:shrug:

Charles County.

Might have been a miss print but the place by us Crabby Ricks had the AYCE advertised for $15.99

I'm not sure where you are. There was a Crabby Ricks in Mechanicsville. Its the owner's son's place. Last year she took it from him and gave it to another son. It is now called Big T's. I was there this weekend. They are asking $38.00 a dozen for #1 males. Hope that helps! :buddies:

Yes. I've never heard of Gilligan's and can't do a web search until I have a location...:shrug:

Pope's Creek next to Robertson's and Cap't Billys.

See #3 on the link - Restaurant Guide for Southern Maryland/Seafood/Charles County - Southern Maryland Online (http://somd.com/dining/seafood/charles/)

Charles County.

Thanks... if they are Gilligan's Pier Restaurant in Newburg I think I've found them. I guess I've never heard of them because if we go to Newburg it is always Captain Johns.

Where are they located?

Popes Creek Road (Charles County) on the Potomac.

The real question is - how many people eat and enjoy the mustard :drool:



I slurp that #### up like a smoothie. I love it.

I slurp that #### up like a smoothie. I love it.
Aaaa.... that's how you got your name.

I'm not sure where you are. There was a Crabby Ricks in Mechanicsville. Its the owner's son's place. Last year she took it from him and gave it to another son. It is now called Big T's. I was there this weekend. They are asking $38.00 a dozen for #1 males. Hope that helps! :buddies:

Yes sorry I work 3 spots down and cant get the damn name right :lol:. On friday I drove by and they had it posted $15.99 AYCE. I thought it might have been a missprint and they meant it to say $25.99 or somethign.

so how is the food? Still havent eaten there yet.

Aaaa.... that's how you got your name.



Close.

Toxick is actually an abbreviated version of my screen name from back in the Quake 3 Arena days: ToxickAenema.




But there is nothing I used to love more than playing Q3A, fragging everyone and their mother - taking a break to eat crabs, particularly savoring the pungent mustard - and then going back to fragging with old bay and beer still making my mouth tingle.

The real question is - how many people eat and enjoy the mustard :drool:
:yahoo:


The crabs are running great this year. We caught 4 dozen on Saturday off of the neighborhood pier. Well, HE caught them. I ate them. :lol:

Yes sorry I work 3 spots down and cant get the damn name right :lol:. On friday I drove by and they had it posted $15.99 AYCE. I thought it might have been a missprint and they meant it to say $25.99 or somethign.

so how is the food? Still havent eaten there yet.

They are okay, very hit or miss. I'll like one thing and then something else will really suck. Its what is closest to me though in terms of crabs. :yay: Well unless the kid/guys set up their crab trailer on 381. We should meet there some time for crabs and beer! I'd like to meet new people! :buddies:

They are okay, very hit or miss. I'll like one thing and then something else will really suck. Its what is closest to me though in terms of crabs. :yay: Well unless the kid/guys set up their crab trailer on 381. We should meet there some time for crabs and beer! I'd like to meet new people! :buddies:

Do you know the owner? I see him everytime I am at Big Dogs :lol:

Maybe we can do lunch one day :buddies:

Do you know the owner? I see him everytime I am at Big Dogs :lol:

Maybe we can do lunch one day :buddies:

I work on DC :jerry: It would have to be a Saturday or Sunday or a beer after Iiget back into town after work some day.

Thanks... if they are Gilligan's Pier Restaurant in Newburg I think I've found them. I guess I've never heard of them because if we go to Newburg it is always Captain Johns.Captain Johns is in Cobb Island hun. :love:

Calling it mustard does not make it any less poop.It's not poop! It's the fat. :killingme

Great. Now I want some hard crabs.

It's not poop! It's the fat. :killingme

It's fatty poop. I tried it once.

Great. Now I want some hard crabs.

Had some last night.

I love the mustard! Do you pull it out of the points of the shell too? :drool:

I do! Good stuff! :buddies:

I was scanning this thread to see if anyone else does that.

Captain Johns is in Cobb Island hun. :love:
II can swing a cat by the tail while standing in Newburg and hit Cobb Island...:neener:

And it is not just the fat... it is intestine and we all know what is in intestines... keep telling yourself its mustard...:poorbaby:

II can swing a cat by the tail while standing in Newburg and hit Cobb Island...:neener: Expect a call from Katelin any time now!

And it is not just the fat... it is intestine and we all know what is in intestines... keep telling yourself its mustard...:poorbaby: :notworthy Dang you're smart!

Q: What is the yellow stuff inside a cooked crab? Some people call it "mustard." Is it fat?

A: Contrary to popular belief, the "mustard" (or the "green gland" or "tomalley") is not fat, it's actually the crab's hepatopancreas, a main component of the crab's digestive system.

the crab's hepatopancreas, a main component of the crab's digestive system.

even better :yum:

I do! Good stuff! :buddies:

I was scanning this thread to see if anyone else does that.
I hate to agree with you but it is good...:roflmao:

I hate to agree with you but it is good...:roflmao:

Has like a buttery taste.... Nobody else usually eats it, so I rummage through everyone's shells.. Been doing it since a kid.

Anyone who uses a mallet to eat crabs is an amateur, and is someone who should be mocked and scorned for their ridiculous behavior.

No one should be using a mallet to eat crabs. No one.
You just don't know it's real purpose, it's there to throw at the cat when it starts getting to close. Perfect size and shape to dent his little head.

Yes sorry I work 3 spots down and cant get the damn name right :lol:. On friday I drove by and they had it posted $15.99 AYCE. I thought it might have been a missprint and they meant it to say $25.99 or somethign.

so how is the food? Still havent eaten there yet.


I go to Crabby Ricks, or whatever it is called now late in the year to get my crab fix. They get them shipped in up until January, and the 5x I went there this past november/december/january, the crabs have been great! I can not see why they would not be good when in season in MD. And hell I might go there this week sometime now at that price LOL Just call ahead to make sure they have them, that is what my GF and I do in the winter.

I go to Crabby Ricks, or whatever it is called now late in the year to get my crab fix. They get them shipped in up until January, and the 5x I went there this past november/december/january, the crabs have been great! I can not see why they would not be good when in season in MD. And hell I might go there this week sometime now at that price LOL Just call ahead to make sure they have them, that is what my GF and I do in the winter.

I was there this weekend, they said they are still shipping them in from Louisiana, they have not switched back over to local crabs. They said local crabs weren't running good yet. At $38.00 a dozen I was disappointed, good size crabs but they were empty, I could poke my finger through the shells and did on several on accident.

What should one wear when one goes crabbing?

What should one wear when one goes crabbing?

White is always nice in summer and so are long sleeves so you don't need to be reaching for paper towels all the time.

:jerry:

What should one wear when one goes crabbing?

4" heels and a sundress.... duh

You just don't know it's real purpose, it's there to throw at the cat when it starts getting to close. Perfect size and shape to dent his little head.As a cat hater, I absolutely love your idea of what to do with the crab mallets. They DO have a purpose after all! :yahoo:

4" heels and a sundress.... duh

:dingding:

As a recent (kind of) transplant here, is there a video that shows the proper way to eat a whole crab. The wife and I we out last week and saw folks ordering a dozen whole crabs and eating them. I am interested but don't want to look like a dumbass when eating them, nor do I want to miss any goodness.

As a recent (kind of) transplant here, is there a video that shows the proper way to eat a whole crab. The wife and I we out last week and saw folks ordering a dozen whole crabs and eating them. I am interested but don't want to look like a dumbass when eating them, nor do I want to miss any goodness.

Yes.

Z0qUQZfQwOs


Enjoy!


:evil:

lol, not exactly what I thought

lol, not exactly what I thought

Glad you noticed. I keep telling these goofs; You gotta use a mallet or you ain't doing it right.



:buddies:

the wife said someone at work had mentioned seabreeze was a good place. any reviews?

the wife said someone at work had mentioned seabreeze was a good place. any reviews?

Used to be a good solid crab place and is certainly a great location to pick crabs. I haven't been in several years though. Vrai will be along shortly with a current update on how they're doing of late.

:buddies:

the wife said someone at work had mentioned seabreeze was a good place. any reviews?

Personally, I've NEVER been disappointed with their crabs! :buddies:

As a recent (kind of) transplant here, is there a video that shows the proper way to eat a whole crab. The wife and I we out last week and saw folks ordering a dozen whole crabs and eating them. I am interested but don't want to look like a dumbass when eating them, nor do I want to miss any goodness.

KSSUePEtUdI

Yes.

Z0qUQZfQwOs


Enjoy!


:evil:


:lmao:
There's someone who loves a good crab and does that #### up right.

:lmao:
There's someone who loves a good crab and does that #### up right.

I kept thinknig :jameo: "devil fingers!! devil fingers!!" :jameo:
:lol:

ooooohhhhhhhh I cant wait

the wife said someone at work had mentioned seabreeze was a good place. any reviews?

Seabreeze always has good crabs. And a crowd. We tried to go on Sunday afternoon about 5 but there was absolutely NO parking available, unless you were on a bike. We ended up at Clarke's Landing. Call first or check their Facebook to ensure they have hard crabs before making the trip.

I throw mine in a blender, grind them up into a puree", & then drink em down...it's totally nasty!!

where do ya'll get your crabs from?...I generally go to Lisa Tippett for my crabs...she's nasty!!

where do ya'll get your crabs from?...I generally go to Lisa Tippett for my crabs...she's nasty!!

She's nasty, but has good crabs at a great price.